Climate in Madrid
Madrid has a continental-influenced Mediterranean climate, shaped by an elevation of around 660 metres and its distance from the sea. The result is hot, very dry summers, with highs frequently exceeding 35 degrees Celsius in July and August, and cold winters with regular overnight frosts from December to February.
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit. Between April and June temperatures are pleasant, and short showers leave parks such as El Retiro and Casa de Campo at their greenest. September and October also bring mild days under clear skies.
Annual rainfall hovers around 430 mm, concentrated in spring and autumn. Summer afternoon thunderstorms, triggered by instability over the Sierra de Guadarrama, can be intense and very local. Winter snow is rare in the city itself, but events such as Storm Filomena in January 2021 can be remarkable.
Prevailing winds blow from the west and south-west, and the urban heat island effect can lift night-time readings several degrees above the surrounding sierra. Use our hourly forecast to plan terraces, San Isidro events or visits to the Prado Museum with the best light and temperatures.